AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Program Overview
BZ Enrichment is designed to enrich the diverse interests and talents of our students. And whether they’re looking for ways to sharpen their creativity, strengthen their bodies, or challenge their minds, they’ll find a wide variety of activities that will interest them. With new programs to sign up for three times a year, they’ll always find something new to explore.
Many of our BZ Enrichment activities are developed and taught by our talented faculty members. Students can add to their arts experience with guitar, music theatre, or woodshop and creativity lab. They can pursue physical activity with martial arts or yoga, or sharpen their skills in chess or science and engineering. We’re proud to offer such a diverse and ever-changing array of activities as part of the Bernard Zell vision of fostering a flexible and dynamic learning community.
We offer the following on a daily basis:
BZ Before 7:00-8:00 am
BZ Beyond 3:45-6:00 PM (5:00 pm on Fridays)
Enrichment Classes 3:45-4:45 PM
For 2018-2019 we will offer three sessions:
| Fall Session | ||
| 8/27/18 - 11/16/18 | BZ Before and BZ Beyond | |
| 9/4/18 - 11/16/18 | Enrichment Classes |
| Winter Session | ||
| 11/26/18 - 3/8/19 | BZ Before and BZ Beyond | |
| 11/26/18 - 3/8/19 | Enrichment Classes |
| Spring Session | ||
| 3/11/19 - 6/5/19 | BZ Before and BZ Beyond | |
| 3/11/19 - 5/31/19 | Enrichment Classes |
Browse the Current Classes section above for details on the Enrichment Courses for the Fall Session. Once you have made your selections, click the Registration Form Tab to sign up.
BZ Before and BZ Beyond
BZ Beyond is an after-care opportunity that extends your student's day of programming through creative play, reading, self-guided homework and more. We offer two sessions for students in grades Nursery to 8th.
BZ Beyond Extended is offered Monday through Friday from 3:35 pm to 6:00 pm
BZ Beyond Supplemental is offered Monday through Thursday from 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm
You may sign your child up for five days of BZ Beyond Extended, or you may choose a combination of individual days and Enrichment Classes. The choice is yours.
Click on the Current Classes tab to view the Enrichment Classes currently being offered. Once you have made your selections, click the Registration Link to sign up.
Current Classes
For the 2018 Fall Session we are proud to offer the following classes. Read through the descriptions for each day, choose the classes for your child(ren) and then click on the Registration Form tab to sign up. Registration closes August 30, 2018.
Course Descriptions
Monday Classes
MONDAYS - September 17 - November 12
3:35 PM - 4:45 PM
| Shaolin Kung Fu | ||
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| Grades: 1 - 8 | Teacher: Sifu Catherine | Price: $175 |
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This class features higher belt level training techniques including self-defense, forms, and basic. Fast paced class includes traditional Shaolin Kung Fu, conditioning and stretching. The class meets at Quads gym (next door) and pick up is at Quads at 4:45.
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| Yoga | ||
| Grades: 1 - 5 | Teacher: Mission Propelle Vendor | Price: $175 |
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Mission Propelle empowers girls in elementary school to discover who they are, what they believe, and how to advocate for themselves. We accomplish this through an after-school program that combines yoga, reading, and mentoring. In each one-hour class, girls develop mindfulness, deep breathing techniques, and self-confidence as they practice yoga. They learn how to solve problems by reading original storybooks starring Dottie Tov, a relatable and age-aligned female protagonist. The girls discuss the content of the book and how it relates to their own life. Throughout class, girls learn to apply leadership skills in their everyday lives as they receive situation-based mentorship from trained instructors. All girls receive digital downloads of the original storybooks each month! |
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Tuesday Classes
TUESDAYS - September 4 - November 13
7:00 AM - 7:45 AM
| Ultimate Frisbee | ||
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| Grades: 3 - 8 | Teacher: Mr. Shapiro | Price: $175 |
| Come explore the wild world of flying disc games with Mr. Shapiro on the Field of Dreams. Learn how to throw your standard forehand and backhands, perhaps even graduate to hammers, scoobers and push passes. We will learn about Ultimate and play games such as Gaoltimate, Box, Stump the Chump and Texas Boot. No experience necessary, but come ready and excited to run and leave it on the field. |
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| Homework Hot Spot | ||
| Grades: 1 - 8 | Teacher: Johanna Thompson | Price: $175 |
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This after school homework helping session is your one-stop shop for reading, writing, history or science. Whether you want study tips for that upcoming vocabulary quiz, need to review a science lesson from the week or really want to take that history project to the next level, Homework Hot Spot is the place for you.
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TUESDAYS - September 4 - November 13
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
| BZ Knitting Club | ||
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| Grades: 1 - 8 | Teacher: Ms. Dunn | Price: $200 |
| Knitting is a wonderful art form and great hobby. Come join the BZ Knitting Club and learn to express your creativity as you make a hat, a rug, a wall hanging, a purse, a phone cover, or whatever you want! All beginning students will learn to knit by making a winter hat. Veteran club members are given more flexibility, and will be guided to make something for one of the many patterns or pattern books. |
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| Scrapbooking | ||
| Grades: 3 - 6 | Teacher: Ms. Bernstein | Price: $195 |
| Students will get the opportunity to scrapbook special events in their life to create a physical memory of their own. Students can choose to bring in birth pictures, special events, birthdays, holidays, and so on to display. Participants will learn new fun ways of decorating paper and will have the chance to share stories that are represented in their scrapbook pages. If you are a bit artsy, love sharing stories about yourself, your family and your friends and want to make sure you will remember them, this is the activity for you. |
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| Musical Theatre Workshop | ||
| Grades: 4 - 8 | Teacher: Mr. Zane | Price: $180.50 |
| Students will work on singing and acting by way of working on musical theatre pieces. Group songs, solos, duets and more will be available as students learn how to tell a story through song. Students will also learn to give and receive feedback on technique. Beyond musical theatre skills, students will gain confidence and teamwork. | ||
Wednesday Classes
WEDNESDAYS - September 5 - November 14
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
| Homework Hot Spot | ||
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| Grades: 5 - 8 | Teacher: Ms. Bernstein | Price: $250 |
| This after school homework helping session is your one-stop shop for reading, writing, history or science. Whether you want study tips for that upcoming vocabulary quiz, need to review a science lesson from the week or really want to take that history project to the next level, Homework Hot Spot is the place for you. |
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| Intermediate/Advanced Guitar | ||
| Grades: 2 - 4 | Teacher: Ms. Dunn | Price: $265 |
| Intermediate/Advanced Guitar is for students who have had at least 1 year of guitar lessons. We will learn new chords and strums, including simple finger picking. We will also learn to play simple melodies. Children in the advanced class will learn to play simple bass patterns on the electric bass. If your child has studied guitar outside of school and would like to join this class, please speak with Ms. Dunn before signing up. Students may only join this guitar class with permission of Ms. Dunn. |
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| Science Meets Art | ||
| Grades: 1 - 2 | Teacher: Mr. Simeon | Price: $270 |
| How does the physics of light affect how we see color? What are the patterns of collisions? Why are bubbles round? 1st and 2nd graders explore various concepts in science and see how this knowledge is applied to create art. Students will create and bring home a portfolio of their work at the end of the session. | ||
| Artrouductions to Hebrew | ||
| Grades: Nursery - JK | Teacher: Danya Snyder | Price: $250 |
| In Artoduction to Hebrew students will be working with Ms. Snyder on building basic Hebrew vocabulary through games, songs, stories and conversation. Students will also learn Hebrew through guided art projects and different forms of creative expression. All are welcome! | ||
Thursday Classes
THURSDAYS - September 8 - November 17
7:00 AM - 7:45 AM
| Homework Hot Spot | ||
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| Grades: 5 - 8 | Teacher: Johanna Thompson | Price: $175 |
| This after school homework helping session is your one-stop shop for reading, writing, history or science. Whether you want study tips for that upcoming vocabulary quiz, need to review a science lesson from the week or really want to take that history project to the next level, Homework Hot Spot is the place for you. | ||
THURSDAYS - September 8 - November 17
3:35 PM - 4:45 PM
| Art Crazy | ||
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| Grades: 1 - 4 | Teacher: Shosh Bernstein | Price: $290 |
| Want to decorate your room or house in fun creative ways? This is the class for you! Students will experience different types of art projects inspired by fun, creative projects on Pinterest. |
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| Games Unplugged | ||
| Grades: 3 - 4 | Teacher: CM Simeon | Price: $275 |
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3rd and 4th graders can enjoy an hour of playing - or learning to play - classic board games. Play the games your parents (might have) played as kids. Never played Monopoly before? Ever risked it to play Risk? Always thought the mousetrap in Mouse Trap was cool, but never actually played the game? We’re breaking it down, learning the rules, and trying games out. Sessions will be a mix of structured “All Play” (all students learn to play the same game) and “My Choice” (students choose which games to play).
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| Jedi Lego Engineering | ||
| Grades: K - 3 | Teacher: Play-Well Technologies Vendor | Price: $275 |
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The Force Awakens in this introductory engineering course for young Jedi! Explore engineering principles by designing and building projects such as LEGO® X-Wings, R2 Units, Energy Catapults, Defense Turrets, and Settlements from a galaxy far, far away. Create motorized and architectural projects with imagination and engineering to defeat the Empire! |
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| Creative Coding | ||
| Grades: 2 - 4 | Teacher: Michelle Russell | Price: $275 |
| Open your child's eyes to the world of creative coding using Scratch, a program that helps kids visualize and craft code. In this class students will be using physical robots and Scratch to learn Basic programming concepts, How to think logically, Critical thinking and Problem Solving skills. Students will be challenged to think creatively and outside the box to code their own stories and/or games. | ||
Friday Classes
FRIDAYS - September 7 - November 16
7:00 AM - 7:45 AM
| Intramurals | ||
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| Grades: 2 - 8 | Teacher: Coach Sheahan | Price: $275 |
| Join Coach Sheahan on the field for the 3rd annual Flag Football season. Students will be put into teams and play weekly regular season games, with a tournament and an all-star game at the end of the session. The Bernard Zell Flag Football League will be played on the field, weather permitting. This class is held from 7:00-7:45 a.m. All levels of experience welcome. |
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Fridays - September 7 - November 16
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
| Beginning Guitar | ||
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| Grades: 2 - 5 | Teacher: Ms. Dunn | Price: $290 |
| Students in Beginning Guitar will continue to learn basic chords and strums and how to play simple melodies on the guitar. We will be building on the skills the children have been learning since the beginning of the year. If your child has studied guitar outside of school and would like to join this class, please speak with Ms. Dunn before signing up. Students may only join this guitar class with permission of Ms. Dunn. |
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| Friday Fun | ||
| Grades: 3-6 | Teachers: Coach Sheahan and Stacy Pando | Price: $275 |
| Start your weekend on the right (or left) foot with Coach Sheahan in this fast paced 60 minute offering. We will play a variety of sports and games. All levels welcome. |
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| MahJong | ||
| Grades: 3 - 8 | Teacher: Renee Kruss | Price: $275 |
| Join us and enjoy a delightful hour of MahJong and laughs with new and old friends. |
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Clay Creations |
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| Grades: JK - 3 | Teacher: Susan Custer | Price: $300 |
| We will use clay to build functional and fun works of art. Bring your creativity and be ready to try something new! Students will experiment with different hand building techniques and tools while doing brand new clay projects! | ||
Registration
Debate Team
TUESDAYS - October 9 - June 4, 2019
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Bernard Zell Debate Team
| Grades: 5 - 8 | Teacher: Dr. Ellison | Price: $700 |
Have you ever wanted to learn the principles of formal debate and then have the opportunity to debate with other middle school students in the Chicago area? For the first time in the school’s history, we have decided to join the Illinois Middle School Debate League, which includes ten schools in the Chicago area. If you choose to participate in this club, we will meet once a week after school for the remainder of the year to study a controversial and complex issue, namely, whether to reduce the number of immigrants to the United States, as well as, learn the fundamentals of formal debate. Unfortunately, as a Jewish Day School, we will be unable to participate in the majority of inter-school debates because they take place on Saturdays. However, we hope to host at least one debate on a Sunday so you can have the experience of debating other teams from Chicago schools. For this program to run we will need a minimum of 12 students to register and those students must agree to participate for the remainder of the school year. Now is the time: Choose to participate and turn your dream into a reality.
Click here to register!
Please email jellison@bernardzell.org with any questions.